Speaker - January/February 2007

1. Do you read weblogs for entertainment purposes?

2. Do you read weblogs which cover the same subject that you write about?

3. Has a weblog ever brought a story to your attention and caused you to write about the subject?

4. Have you ever used a weblog author as a source (attributed or anonymous)?

5. Have you ever attributed a weblog as a source of information in a story?

6. Do you feel weblogs add value to your job as a research tool (source of information, opinion barometer, etc.)?

Yes: 36% No: 64%
Yes: 18% No: 82%
Yes: 4% No: 96%
Yes: 6% No: 94%
Yes: 24% No: 76%

PRESS AREAS OF CORPORATE WEB SITES

1. Do companies provide ample press information (access to press releases, contact info., etc.) on their Web sites?

2. How often do you visit a corporate Web site looking for background information?

3. Do you ever use online forms (i.e. “enter your info., hit submit and we’ll get back to you”) to make press inquiries?

Yes: 66% No: 34%

Daily: 12% Weekly: 74% Monthly: 14% Never: 0%

Yes: 2% No: 98%

Comments: In a study published in January 2005, The Pew Internet & American Life Project reported that 27 percent of adult U.S. Internet users read weblogs.

Comments: Ah, here comes the kicker on weblog reading. I fall into the Yes category here, and pretty much the No category for the previous question.

Comments: I don't know if this number should be considered high or low, or perhaps just right. I have some reservations about whether some of the journalists wanted to admit where they sometimes get a first look at information.

Comments: Surprisingly low. I figured the "Yes" answers would be at least 15 percent.

Comments: Ditto above.

Comments: This is more in line with the responses I expected for the previous two questions, but low considering that 36 percent of those surveyed said they read weblogs that tackle the same subjects they write about.

Comments: The "Yes" number could be 100 percent if PR people spent a few minutes looking at their online press areas and took some action to improve them.

Comments: This is a good sign—and jibes with my own personal use of corporate Web sites.

Comments: Thank goodness we agree on something! I hate those stupid forms to request media information. In fact, I find them rather insulting for some reason.